002 - Growing Pains

[tabularasa_mods]

Growing Pains State of the World ▲ Locations ▼ Bestiary
OOC ▲ Comments A Light In The Darkness
Light seems to have been especially tricky for the world to comprehend, but it finally, finally seems to have figured things out. Light comes from more than just the sky, and now signs and lamps that were once dark have begun to glow brightly. From the Wall Market's dazzling exhibition of color to the dimmed street lamps of the City of Tears, the whole world has been made bright and lively once more without losing the comfort and tranquility that darkness brings. Even the broken screens of the Hammerlocke Stadium give off a pleasant glow, and the world doesn't seem to care that some lights need electricity to stay on - lights are simply lights, as far as the world seems concerned.

Unfortunately, these new lights are a little too simple. Without any need for a power source, there's no way to turn the lights off - if something is deemed a light source, it will always function as a light source. The only way to stop it is to destroy the object beyond recognition, but that might not be the most practical solution. Covering up the lights is the next best thing, but it's a task that's easier with some sources than others. At least no one needs to sleep yet.

Difficulties aside, now seems like the perfect time to start exploring all those new corners of the world that were previously too dark to navigate. Fire is an easy, safe and portable light source that anyone can use, and it even puts itself out after awhile. Just be careful not to get stuck in the dark by a stray breeze.

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Who's Hungry?
Animals need to eat. People need to eat. These are simple facts that people lost in the strange, changing landscape all seem to be well aware of, yet appear to not apply to this world. That is not to say that people can’t eat or drink, for many people do, but there is no actual need. Eating provides nothing but the knowledge that one has eaten, and anyone might go without food entirely. Lately, some might have found eating has become more satisfying and fulfilling an act, as though food is providing them with a vaguely-defined something they didn’t get before. It doesn’t seem to mean much in the grand scheme of things, but perhaps it allows them some sense of normality.

When hunger sets in, it’s sudden. Every person, whether or not they ever needed to eat in their homeland, is hit with a powerful, overwhelming sense of hunger, to the point it feels that if they do not eat they will soon starve. Those who have never eaten in all their time here might easily find themselves so hungry they can barely even move, and have little choice but to eat. Fortunately, food is plentiful. If it can be put in the mouth, chewed and swallowed, it is food, and thus will give a person temporary relief from their hunger. What goes in does not appear to come out, instead simply becoming part of that person and revitalizing them. How long it takes to feel hungry again seems entirely random, and each time there is no lead up - someone is either fine, or they are starving, without any in-between.

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Starving Mad Beasts
When people suddenly remember hunger, so too do the animals of the world. For some creatures this isn't an issue - the tall-necked beasts continue to graze on the treetops like they always have, and the smaller creatures seem content with snacking on whatever small scraps they can find. Not all creatures are so easily satisfied, however, and the more aggressive ones have turned to attacking other species for food.

The vicious water dragons are quick to clamp their mouths on anything within reach... but, lacking teeth, this doesn't amount to much. Still, they're as persistent as ever, and in a way their inability to viciously devour their prey only makes them more dangerous. These beasts are starving, and for all their skill in chasing down prey they can do little to actually eat their catch, which means they're constantly on the hunt and out to get anything that moves. Perhaps it might even be a good idea to help them out, if feeding the fish might make them a little less aggressive.

The machines are far better equipped for hunting, and all the more dangerous now that they're hungry enough to take a bite out of someone. Death is not a concept the world understands, so it's not like they're doing any permanent harm, but it's still a bit unnerving to see animals limping by with bite-sized chunks taken out of them. They haven't had a taste of people yet, but it doesn't seem like it'll be long before they try.

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Mushroom Hunting
Mushrooms are a new sight within the world, and a perfect snack to satisfy that sudden debilitating hunger! Harvesting them can be a bit of a problem, however. For one, they are massive, and the task of cutting one down and breaking it into edible chunks is made much easier with a group of people than one person working alone. Finding the mushrooms in their dark habitats may also be difficult... although, it is much easier to spot a mushroom the size of an entire person compared to something much smaller.

The real problem with mushroom hunting is where they can grow, which is nearly anywhere indoors. Though light now comes from other sources besides the sky, there are still buildings with dark corners that might suddenly acquire a giant mushroom or two (or three, or four) if left alone. And if those mushrooms are allowed to remain, they may just continue to grow, and grow, and grow...

So, if you don't want giant mushrooms bursting through your roof, it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for them before that happens.

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code bases by tricklet

Comments

lance | pokemon hg/ss | ota.

[thunderwave]

lights and shrooms

[ at the sudden appearance of mushrooms all over the world, lance and dragonite both are interested in seeing whether or not they're . . . you know, normal mushrooms.

thankfully, lance's pokegear camera light seems to just be constantly on, which is annoying in literally every other respect except poking around the darker areas of mt. silver to find mushrooms. and you can find lance and dragonite by a mushroom that they've managed to bring down, as lance is thoughtfully chewing on a piece. ]

It tastes normal. [ mildly enough to dragonite, who seems to sniff the mushroom with a snort before returning his attention to the entrance of the tunnel they've poked their heads into. ] Small miracles, I guess . . . want one?

[ he asks, offering a piece of mushroom to dragonite, who huffs to himself.

lance being a vegan has never made a single lick of sense to dragonite, and he doesn't plan on trying to understand his best friend now.]

someone feed the dragon.

[ lance has gathered an armful of mushrooms and is strolling toward the lake area, idly talking to dragonite as he goes, casually popping another piece of mushroom into his mouth without really thinking about it. ]

I feel as if we've been here for some time, but it's difficult to place why I feel that way . . . if we had some type of cell service, I could at least try reaching the Plateau.

[ dragonite seems to agree, stretching his wings thoughtfully, ducking his head to nose his snout into lance's side, grumbling something, which lance seems to understand. or at least put together what his friend seems to mean. ]

Right . . . being stuck in their PokeBalls for such a long period of time without being able to open them --

[ but lance stops talking as dragonite suddenly stops walking, emitting an odd noise as the seven-foot-something dragon-type suddenly all-but collapses on the path they're on, and lance blinks at the sound of something heavy hitting the ground behind him, looking over his shoulder with a furrowed brow. and once he sees that the dragon-type is on the ground, the mushrooms are abruptly dropped to the ground as lance turns on his heel to quickly kneel next to dragonite, carefully resting a hand on his side. ]

-- what is it, what's wrong?

[ it's quiet, but it's obvious that he's Very Concerned (tm) about his weak, exhausted, suddenly starving to death friend, who is apparently too weak to lift his head. and lance immediately shuffles to dip his hands into a pouch attached to his belt, to fish out a berry. ]

Come on, lift your head --

[ help, please. ]

wildcard.

[ hit me up with other prompts if you want! ]

feed the dragon

[memorate]

[ Cloud's first meeting with Dragonite went so awkwardly weird that he was content with never having to interact with it again... if only to save himself from being embarrassed like that again. Yes, he's very sensitive about his own image!! However, even he can't ignore the fact that something seems to be wrong with the creature now... ]

Hey... [ His approach is quiet, expressing some concern of his own. ] Everything alright here?

[thunderwave]

[ trying to get a massive dragon to take medicine is about as easy as it sounds, though berries are usually an easier fight to wage. but dragonite seems disoriented and weak, and lance is almost concerned he's poisoned, versus something else . . . but at the approach of cloud, lance glances up with a frown before quickly returning his attention to his partner. ]

I am not sure.

[ honestly, as lance taps the side of dragonite's snout, trying to get him to open his mouth. ]

He was fine moments ago, and then suddenly fell over . . . I don't think we encountered anything that would poison him, or cause any other ill-effects -- Dragonite, open your mouth, you aren't an infant.

[ with some exasperation, as dragonite grumbles, reluctantly opening his mouth. ]

[memorate]

[ Somehow, Cloud finds himself relating more to Dragonite than his trainer, probably because Cloud also has the temperance of an infant when he's seen in such a compromising state. Hang in there, pokemon friend! ]

You sure he didn't eat anything weird?

[ It's... not the most helpful question, he realizes. Surely that would have been the first thing that Lance wondered. ]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[thunderwave]

Not to my knowledge.

[ in regards to dragonite eating something weird; he's pretty well behaved, and not an idiot. he wouldn't eat something indiscriminately . . . though some pokemon would.

at cloud's question, though, lance tosses him a smile, appreciating the volunteer! and so lance hands cloud the sitrus berry, tone warm: ]

Pop that in his mouth.

[ you know, just feed the dragon, as lance pats down his pockets. ]

I think I have some medication on me . . . hopefully it will work -- the berry will help give him some energy, at the very least.

[memorate]

Just... pop it, huh... you got it.

[ Like it's so easy! But Cloud did offer to help, and he's apparently trusted enough to shove some food in this unhappy dragon's face. ]

Dragonite.

[ Cloud makes a face at the creature, one that's begging him to work together on this because it's best for everyone that they get past this sooner rather than later. ]

... Say "ah".

feed the dragon

[forwearemany]

(They are unfamiliar with the man and his dragon friend, but they are becoming familiar with the sensation of hunger and its associated discomfort. It is not difficult to identify it in another.

After a moment of consideration, they approach.)

The need for sustenance has been implemented.

(With these words, they crouch down next to Lance, and, should it be allowed, they'll attempt to pry open Dragonite's mouth so that Lance can place the berry inside.)

[thunderwave]

[ lance is primarily focused on trying to figure out if his partner was hurt on something. maybe poisoned? is the sitrus berry in his hand really the best choice, or is it something else? . . . when legion approaches. and lance blinks, at the comment -- sustenance, is that really all it is? -- when legion tries to force dragonite's mouth open. ]

Wait --

[ lance begins, but it's a little too late, as dragonite immediately yanks his head away from legion, a deep-seated growl rumbling through the pokemon's chest. it would be quasi-threatening, if dragonite's movements weren't weak and listless at best, and he sort of flops over uselessly at an attempt to snap his jaws at legion. ]

Hey -- hey, not appropriate or necessary -- Dragonite, be still.

[ the firm tone from lance seems to calm down the dragon-type lance runs a hand over the dragon-type's snout, to soothe him into resting his head against lance's leg. and once dragonite is settled and not attempting to remove hands, lance turns his attention to legion. ]

Sorry, he's -- not very feeling. You said sustenance?

[ a beat of confusion, as lance's brow furrows, glancing at legion. ]

He wouldn't collapse from hunger, he's hardly starving -- are you hungry?

[ lance directs the question toward his partner, and dragonite issues a pathetic sounding grumble.

you don't need to speak dragon to understand yes, idiot. ]

[forwearemany]

(They are not particularly frightened by Dragonite's attempt to bite them--even with the promise of pain--but they withdraw their hands.)

We do not intend to cause harm.

(He is sufficiently intelligent to understand communication? They headtilt as they watch Dragonite interact with Lance, then briefly turn to face Lance.)

Onset of Hunger is not logical in this universe: we were not built with the capability to experience it, consume sustenance, or taste, yet we have.

(They look at Dragonite again.)

Is cake acceptable as sustenance?

(They wonder: is Dragonite a pokemon, similar to Duraludon and the paint tailed creatures?)

[thunderwave]

[ the reassurance of not wanting to cause harm does actually seem to work, and dragonite stretches out his wings a little, relaxing a bit as he puts his head a bit more squarely into lance's lap.

at the mention of cake, though, lance frowns to himself. ]

I -- not usually.

[ lance and his pokemon tend to have a pretty strict diet, although if he had let dragonite eat the stupid cake like he wanted . . . what a mess. now he just feels guilty. ]

You wouldn't happen to have any cake, would you?

[ as he coaxes dragonite to open his mouth again, so lance can pop the berry into it. the big dragon-type closes his mouth, a squishing sound and a bit of berry juice dribbling out as he swallows it. some of it gets on lance's pants, but he doesn't look too bothered. ]

[forwearemany]

(They have their backpack with them, and they've got a sort of crushed container they found somewhere, which they open to reveal a somewhat crushed, less than pretty looking piece of cake.

They were keeping it around for an emergency: if they have to eat and taste they'd rather stuff something delicious in their chesthole instead of, say, garbage. They accidentally ate garbage earlier, and they don't want to repeat it.

They offer it.)

lights and shrooms

[mightdoriya]

I was wondering if they would be edible or not.

[Comes a familiar voice from across the way, the boy that Lance and Dragonite scooped up while they were both being chased by those Magikarp dragons. Izuku lifts a hand in a wave as he approaches them, one of the little pidgey creatures from Mt. Silver perched on one of Izuku's shoulders. His ears perk when he sees Dragonite, prompting him to immediately wing his way off Izuku to hover in front of the Pokemon, clicking his beak curiously while Izuku turns his attention to Lance.]

Kacchan and I have been working on removing them from the apartments, but it's kindof slow going...they grow back faster than we can cut them down.

[thunderwave]

[ ah, izuku. and lance waves with a free hand, his other hand holding the edge of his cape, sort of creating an impromptu basket full of mushrooms. ]

Hello, Izuku. I see you've found a partner.

[ he says warmly, and dragonite offers a grumble to the pidgey-creature, though the dragon-type isn't entirely sure if it understands him. ]

So far, they seem to be fine. [ with half a shrug, as he offers a piece to izuku, if he wants it! ] I guess I'll find out in a few hours.

[ training pokemon involved living in the wild, so lance is really confident about his ability to tell poisonous mushrooms apart from safe ones. ]

[mightdoriya]

More like he found me!

[Izuku smiles, watching out of the corner of his eye as the little guy tilts his head far to one side in response to Dragonite's greeting. It doesn't seem he can understand, but he's still Intensely Curious...chirping and flying in a circle around the Pokemon as if to figure out where exactly he could have come from. Or maybe what he is.

Izuku will take the piece that's offered to him, turning it over in his hand. Oh, Lance, please don't say it like that...]

I hope you'll be fine, in that case! Though I'm pretty sure I've seen some mushrooms that look like they'd been nibbled on by wildlife...so I figure if they weren't edible, we wouldn't be seing anything like that.

[thunderwave]

Ah, I've traveled enough and been caught in enough forests to hopefully know the difference between poison and not.

[ reassuringly; also, dragonite snuffled at them quite a bit before lance took a bite, so lance trusts dragonite's intuition! or, you know, this will end horribly wrong. lance will figure it out. ]

But taking your cues from Pokemon is always a good idea; they're far smarter than we are.

[ he says appreciatively, as he stoops down to rest his elbows on his knees, the cape pooling around him as he reaches out a hand toward the little pidgey-like creature, smile warm. ]

You have a gift, Izuku, if this Pidgey has bonded so quickly with you. You would make an excellent trainer.

[mightdoriya]

[The creature- "affectionately" dubbed Murderlord by Katsuki- nudges his beak a little against Lance's fingers before immediately shoving his whole head against his palm, practically a DEMAND for pets. It's unsurprising behavior to Izuku, who smirks and rubs the ack of his neck.]

Ah...you really think so? I've never actually had any pets before...other than Toshi, anyway. But I didn't consider him a pet...he was more of my companion, really.

feed the cute dragon but also he's Worried TM

[forethinking]

( THUMP!

Our thief was far enough from the source of the noise to be more concerned than startled. Lance’s voice was too faint for him to hear, but even without knowing who to expect, Ren dashes to the general direction of the impact, knowing how sound gets warped here and mistrusting his ears – only arriving by the time Lance already had the berry in hand and pleads for the dragon to help.

From the scene, he doesn’t have to ask what’s wrong… And from all that he has learned about the bond between them, Ren’s equally concerned for Lance when he approaches, kneeling next to the older man with a strong motivation to be of aid.)

How can I help?

[thunderwave]

[ lance's focus is on dragonite, as he attempts to coax the dragon-type into opening his mouth for the berry -- but he does spare ren a glance, with a distracted smile, before he shifts to sit next to dragonite properly, letting the dragon-type rest his head on his legs. ]

Here, hold this --

[ as lance holds out the sitrus berry to ren, juicy and plump, to focus on getting dragonite to open his mouth. ]

I'm not sure if he's poisoned or paralyzed or what -- he was fine moments ago, and suddenly collapsed.

[ dragonite huffs a soft grumble, at lance poking his fingers near his mouth, opening his maw with a grunt to reveal quite a lot of teeth. lance doesn't seem too bothered by putting his fingers in the dragon-type's mouth, to check inside. ]

He hasn't eaten anything strange, so I don't know what happened.

[forethinking]

(Ren readily takes the berry in his hand, it's... A pear? Or at least, resembles one. He expects nothing to be familiar when it comes to the Pokéfamily. Unsurprisingly so, when they have a complete different universe than his own. All this was thought up rather quickly, so there was no dwelling from Ren as he focuses on the dragon and Lance himself.

Similarly, it doesn't shock him to see Lance fearlessly ignore the amount of teeth and just check inside Dragonite's mouth. Huge doubt Dragonite would snap his jaw closed if it's Lance doing it.

His spare hand moves to the dragon's head, a calming and comforting petting before he turns his attention to Lance.)

Has he eaten enough? (He's enormous. Probably needs a lot to sustain him, no?)

[thunderwave]

[ lance opens his mouth to respond of course, but lance pauses before blinking to himself, settling back on his heels to look at dragonite with a slight frown as the dragon-type closes his mouth. ]

When was the last time you ate?

[ he asks, curious, as dragonite huffs a noncommittal response, stretching out his wings uselessly, and lance frowns before glancing toward ren. ]

We haven't . . . I haven't really been hungry, since we've been here. I did eat some of the mushrooms earlier . . . but Dragonite declined.

[ and now that he's putting it together . . . ]

How have we not been hungry? -- here, let me see that berry again.

[forethinking]

(Took him about a few seconds to realize the question wasn't towards him, but then again, when was the last time you ate is very subjective here and Ren has been eating non-stop.

It does surprise him that Lance had not realized the lack of hunger, but as he had already realized, it's possible their idea of time to differ? Not important.)

Hunger has hit. It's possible to be that.

(His stomach does a little growl to confirm. Not a second longer, Ren offers the berry to Lance, glaze dropping to Dragonite in concern. Does he have the strength to eat himself?)

feed the dragon

[comburst]

Is that thing sick or just hungry?

[ Everything has been getting hungry recently, after all, so it's not an entirely out there guess. The teenager who comes to check the dragon out looks angry, but it's really just how his expression usually is.

...Well, also he's just normally angry, but he's not bad news in the end (unless you're Deku, usually). He does at least seem moderately concerned.

That pidgey creature of Deku's is around too, following him and chirping. ]

Because I can fix the latter but not the former.

[thunderwave]

[ thankfully, angry teenagers don't really seem to phase him, as lance glances toward katsuki before returning his attention to dragonite, his brow furrowing. ]

Hungry?

[ almost mystified, by that, as he tries to get dragonite to open his mouth a bit, to take the berry. ]

He's never missed a meal in his life, especially not so many to cause this level of . . . [ but as he says that, lance realizes that since they've been here . . . how long have they been here? who can even say. ] Are you hungry?

[ dragonite makes an odd wheezing nose, shifting his head a little in almost a nodding motion. ]

[comburst]

Most things are getting hungry recently. What's he eat?

[ Katsuki ASSUMES meat, but it's...

Not like he knows if Pokemon have special diets. Maybe they eat cat food? ]

[thunderwave]

That . . .

[ makes no sense, though lance thinks to himself that he hasn't felt super hungry, but he's also eaten. dragonite hasn't eaten much of anything since they've arrived in this strange place, but he also hasn't complained of hunger.

-- right, katsuki had asked a question. ]

Dragonite are omnivores. [ a bit distractedly, as lance searches his own pockets for something more. a berry would help give him a boost of energy, but wouldn't satisfy such severe hunger pains. why hadn't he bothered to check in with dragonite? ] They eat meat, fish, plant-life . . . though most of the vegetation they do eat is from the ocean or water-based. Like seaweed, or kelp.

[ but dragonite would totally crush a coconut if you offered it to him. ]